noun / verb
nap
NAP/næp/
A brief sleep, usually during the day.
The older man takes a daytime nap with an open book in his lap.
Etymology
Old English hnappian meant to doze or sleep lightly. The noun developed from the verb, turning the activity of sleeping into a short spell of sleep.
In context
Enter the power nap, a quick snooze that lasts between 10 to 30 minutes. Research has shown that even a six-minute nap can improve long-term memory.
More examples
- The baby naps every afternoon.
- I napped for twenty minutes before my evening shift.
- Please keep your voice down while Dad is napping.
Forms
nap · naps · napped · napping